Exemplar Global is hosting four pilot International Accreditation Forum (IAF) assessment exams to determine—from data acquired from the pilots—the pass rates for the final exams.
With the release of ISO/IEC TS 17021-2 and -3, Exemplar Global has developed a series of technical area exams based on industry IAF codes. The goal is to elevate competency requirements for third-party environmental management system (EMS) and quality management system (QMS) auditors to ensure that they have adequate knowledge of both the standard and the industry they are auditing. Exemplar Global develops these exams to help standardize auditor competency for these requirements. The technical areas to be covered in the pilot exams are:
- Chemicals, chemical products, and fibers (IAF 12)—QMS
- Rubber and plastic products (IAF 14)—QMS
- Basic metals and fabricated metal products (IAF 17)—QMS
- Electrical and optical equipment (IAF 19)—EMS
Those participating in these exams will be contribute to the pass rates for the final exams. Volunteers are not required to take any specific training courses to take the exams.
The exams involve a range of closed, multiple choice, and true/false questions. They are designed to take two hours to complete and will be timed. You will not need any aids such as a calculator, search engines, textbooks, or other reference materials.
Although the exams are not proctored, those taking the exams should do so in a quiet, secure environment that is free of distractions or access by other personnel. Volunteers cannot ask for assistance from others and cannot have others complete the exams on their behalf.
Those who meet the passing score as determined by the pilot exam will receive a certificate of knowledge of the relevant IAF scope.
Each pilot exam will be available for completion on one day between January 11 and January 15, 2016. Exemplar Global will notify volunteers of the specific date ahead of time.
To register, email Marya Ryan at notice@exemplarglobal.org no later than Monday, December 30 at 6 p.m., CST. Be sure to indicate which of the four pilot exams you want to participate in. In early January, you will receive an email with a link that will direct you to the exam. The exams will be live and available to access as of 12:01 a.m. January 11, 2016, and will close at 11:59 p.m. CST, January 15, 2016.
The results will be emailed within two working weeks. Exam results will be sent to the email used to request registration. Exam results will be used to determine the current and future pass mark of this assessment. No other data about exam takers will be used or shared outside the testing system.